New Toyota Aygo X JBL 2025 review: plenty of appeal but it comes at a cost
If you wanted a big, shiny sound system in your car (from the factory, at least), you used to have to stump up the money for a car from an out-and-out premium brand like Mercedes or BMW, who have long partnered with the likes of Sennheiser and Harmon Kardon. Toyota is looking to prove these preconceptions wrong, however, because it's launched the new Aygo X JBL special edition.
According to Toyota, this version of its entry-level car focuses on giving its owners a 'concert-style sound'. That's quite a bold claim when many of us know that even top-rung sound systems can struggle to replicate a live performance.
It's worth remembering that an affordable city car teaming up with an audio firm is a path that has been trodden before. Volkswagen offered the 'Beats edition' of the up!, and more recently, in other markets in 2022, there was a 'La Prima by Bocelli' special edition of the all-electric Fiat 500e. This also had a JBL sound system, but the Fiat's was developed in partnership with iconic Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Instead of the 320W system in the 500, the Aygo X's set-up has a 300W power output and five speakers. There are two 'full-range speakers' in the front doors with 25mm tweeters in the front pillars. And under the boot floor you'll find a 200mm subwoofer, which Toyota says generates a 'powerful bass, dynamic speaker response and a clear sound'. The amplifier is mounted under the front passenger seat - with six channels that fine-tune the frequencies. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View Aygo X View Aygo X View Aygo X View Aygo X
That's a pretty impressive system for a car the size of the Aygo X. However, Toyota hasn't just slapped it into its tiny city car and called it a day. It might not have input from Bocelli, but Toyota says 'hundreds of hours of precision work and adjustments' went into the bespoke sound system for the Aygo X JBL.
Start the Aygo X JBL special edition and you'll hear the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine as in the standard car with 71bhp and 93Nm of torque. Unlike some similar units from VW Group and Stellantis models, the Toyota engine is naturally aspirated and because it's coupled with a long-geared five-speed transmission, you have to rev it hard to make any significant progress.
On the other hand, the engine is actually one of our favourite bits of the standard Aygo X. The busy little unit is communicative and responds well to the throttle while the engaging gearshift balances precision with smoothness. The car is light too, with a kerbweight of under a tonne, so that engine feels pretty well matched to the job in hand.
Although a thrummy three-cylinder engine in a lightweight city car doesn't bode well for premium sound quality, the Aygo X JBL special edition is very good overall on that score. There's a punchiness to the subwoofer in the back, a clear sound throughout the cabin (even with no speakers in the rear doors) and no matter what kind of music you're listening to, it's pretty immersive. On the move the engine does interfere with the ambience a tad, given its penchant for revs, but tyre roar isn't too much of a problem because the Aygo X has narrow 175-section tyres. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Instead, wind noise is more of a factor when it comes to the kind of refinement you need to properly enjoy a car's sound system. At motorway speeds there's a bit of wash over the windscreen, though there's no extra sound deadening in the roof or doors - areas which we expect could have made a big difference to the overall sound quality.
While the focus was on the car's audio experience, Toyota also says: 'JBL engineers prioritised weight-saving to contribute to the car's overall fuel efficiency and low tailpipe emissions', so don't expect the fancy new audio system to harm the Aygo X's frugal economy figures. Weighing just five kilograms more than the regular Aygo X, the JBL special edition returns a 57.9mpg average - 0.9mpg worse than the Exclusive variant.
Putting the subwoofer in the rear also has an impact on the special edition's boot capacity. The standard car can accommodate 231 litres, but that figure is reduced to just 189 litres here.
If you want to showcase the fact you're a bit of an audiophile in buying the Aygo X JBL special edition, then you'll be happy to note Toyota has added JBL branding on the seats, rear hatchback, tweeters and windows. It's not quite as eye-catching as the old VW up! Beats edition, which got exterior decals too, but the Toyota also gets a two-tone black paint matched with a new 'Jasmine Silver' body. Plus there are relatively large 18-inch alloy wheels as standard on this little runabout.
The JBL special edition sits at the top of the Aygo X range, costing £21,195 – £1,450 more than the Exclusive. Given that you're really only getting a sound system and the odd badge for the extra outlay, it's difficult to make a case for the JBL model in the Aygo X range, especially when the entry-level £16,845 Pure edition seems to best represent the little Toyota's wallet-friendly attitude. Model: Toyota Aygo X JBL special edition Price: £21,195 Powertrain: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol Power/torque: 71bhp/93Nm Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 14.9 seconds Top speed: 98mph Economy/CO2: 57.6mpg/110g/km Size (L/W/H): 3,700/1,740/1,525mm On sale: Now Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Email Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future
Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future
The next Mazda MX-5 roadster is set to be offered as a pure EV, and our exclusive images preview how it could look Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it's a 'monster'
Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it's a 'monster'
VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development…
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
3 hours ago
- Auto Blog
2026 Toyota Camry Trim Matchup: Base LE Vs. Flagship XSE
You have to build these Bronco and Bronco Sport projects yourself if you really want one. Good news is, Ford's selling the parts for you to do just that. The Fenomeno is the latest model to join Lambo's Few Off lineup, limited to just under 30 units worldwide. Ford cut 2026 Explorer prices, but heavy discounts on 2025 models may offer even better deals for buyers willing to skip the newest model year. View post: 2026 Ford Explorer Is Less Expensive — But Should You Get a 2025 Model Instead? Base Camry offers unbeatable value, while top model threatens some premium models Although still early in its life, it's safe to say that the all-new Toyota Camry has been a success. Not only is this hybrid-only sedan highly efficient and good to drive, but it has been performing well on the sales charts, too. If you're considering a new Camry, you may wonder which of the four trims is best. We've already compared the lower two trims, but how different is the entry-level LE to the top-spec XSE, and is the latter worth its $6,200 price premium? Let's find out. Camry LE Vs. XSE Pricing We'll start by looking at the pricing of the 2026 Toyota Camry. It starts at $29,000 for the base LE and goes all the way up to $36,725 for the XSE AWD. Between these trims, there is the SE ($31,300), Nightshade Edition ($32,300), XLE ($34,000), and XSE ($35,200). All these trims are available with AWD. Even after its 2026 price increase, the base Camry LE is tremendous value, but the range-topping XSE adds a number of desirable amenities, aesthetic upgrades, and tech features. Surprisingly, the driving experience is also markedly improved. Design: Rental Car Vibes Vs. Near-Premium Appeal Toyota Camry LE Toyota Camry XSE Sitting on rather small 16-inch wheels and with white paint (other colors are available), the base Camry LE does look a little plain. The XSE immediately makes a better first impression with its 19-inch wheels, a color-keyed sport mesh front grille, gloss-black air curtains, a black rear spoiler, and a color-keyed rear sport lower diffuser. Bi-LED projector headlights are standard on the LE, while the range-topping XSE gets dual LED headlights, premium LED taillights, and a sportier exhaust with dual chrome tips. Although not visible to the naked eye, acoustic noise-reducing front side glass helps to keep noise levels lower in the XSE. Toyota Camry XSE — Source: Toyota The LE is available with a few more interesting colors than the white pictured above, but only the XSE gets access to a color palette with a black contrast roof. These changes don't necessarily make the XSE a better car, but it looks a lot better than the basic LE. Interior: It's Easy To See Where The Extra Cash Goes Toyota Camry LE Toyota Camry XSE All new Camrys get a smartly designed and practical cabin, but there are substantial differences between the base LE and the range-topping XSE. The LE is the only Camry trim with fabric-trimmed seats and manual adjustment for the driver's seat, whereas the XSE gets genuine leather upholstery, eight-way powered front seats, and standard heated seats. Touchpoints like the steering wheel and shift knob have a leather covering in the XSE. In the XSE, you also get the option of a Cockpit Red interior, a much more expressive look than the LE's black or grey interior colors. Toyota Camry XSE — Source: Toyota Other features you get as standard on the XSE but which are not available for the LE include the following: Aluminum sport pedals Paddle shifters White LED ambient interior lighting 12.3-inch touchscreen 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster The LE has a smaller eight-inch touchscreen and seven-inch digital gauge cluster. On the options list, the LE can't be equipped with features like ventilated front seats, a head-up display, a panoramic glass roof, or the upgraded nine-speaker JBL sound system, all of which are available on the XSE. It's inside where one can most tell the difference between the base Camry and the top-of-the-range model. Safety Equipment Source: Toyota The LE matches the XSE in terms of the standard specification. Both trims come standard with eight airbags, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, radar-based cruise control, lane departure alert, road sign assist, and more. The main difference exists on the options list. Here, you can upgrade the XSE with advanced features such as traffic jam assist, a surround-view monitor, lane change assist, front/rear parking assistance, and front cross-traffic alert. None of these are available on the XSE. Performance: Same Performance, But LE Is More Efficient Than XSE Both the Camry LE and Camry XSE are equipped with the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. It produces 225 horsepower with front-wheel drive or 232 hp with all-wheel drive, so straight-line performance is comparable regardless of whether you go for the base model or the top one. All models have an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. In our review, we found the Camry to be an excellent drive. The powertrain is quiet and the gas engine kicks in more smoothly than before. There is more of a difference between the LE and XSE when the road begins to twist, though, as only the latter gets sport-tuned shocks and springs. 2026 Toyota Camry — Source: Toyota Whereas the LE prioritizes comfort, the XSE remains tolerable on rough roads but exhibits much tauter steering. Turn-in is more responsive and its body stays flatter through corners, so the XSE is the easy pick for more enthusiastic drivers. Due to its lower weight and smaller wheels, the LE is more efficient, though. With FWD, the base trim gets 53/50/51 mpg city/highway/combined, a superb effort for a spacious sedan. AWD drops that to 51/49/50 mpg. In the sportier XSE, expect 48/47/47 mpg with FWD and 44/43/44 mpg with AWD. When both are equipped with FWD, the LE will get an extra 52 miles per tank, which isn't insignificant. Final Thoughts Toyota Camry XSE — Source: Toyota You can easily make a case for the base Camry or its fully loaded sibling. The LE is incredibly efficient, yet has the same outputs as the pricier XSE. Toyota has also done a good job of equipping the LE with all the essential tech features, whereas the nice-to-haves are reserved for the XSE. The range-topping Camry looks and feels like a much more premium product, and even though it has the same power, we were surprised at how much more engaging it was to drive than the LE. Many top-spec trims come across as superfluous, but that's not the case with the Camry XSE. If you can afford the price bump, it's still a bargain when compared to base midsize sedans from luxury brands. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Auto Blog
3 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Bentley Debuts Faded Paint Finish For The Ultimate Ombre Look
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Besides the obvious differences in tech, the top Camry trim is also better to drive. Fair warning: the only thing I liked about it was how quick it was. Otherwise, I didn't feel like the $62,045 price tag was justified. Gordon Murray Special Vehicles reveals its first two bespoke hypercars, and they're just as exquisite as you'd expect. One's better for towing, and one uses less fuel but which one's the better truck overall? Bentley Reveals New One-Off To Show Off Monterey Car Week is in full swing, and Bentley is joining the festivities by revealing a new one-off creation at The Quali, A Motorsport Gathering. After the Mulliner Bespoke Studio launched a new color palette a little more than a month ago, it is now showcasing a new Ombre finish on a Bentley Continental GT, with this example transitioning from Topaz paint at the front to Windsor Blue at the back. On paper, it sounds simple, but the process for each car painted like this requires immense skill and precision. 2024 Land Rover Defender V8 review: Still wild at heart Watch More A Long Paint Process Creates A Gorgeous Effect The car is sprayed in contrasting colors front and rear, with the blend applied in stages using tinted paint mixed using traditional methods. Layer by layer, the overall fade effect requires two paint technicians working for approximately 56 hours per car. To ensure a uniform and gradual transition with paints that behave differently on application is a finicky process, and each car will be slightly different. Because of the complexity involved, Bentley Mulliner is only offering three color combinations at this point. By providing your email address, you agree that it may be used pursuant to Arena Group's Privacy Policy. We may receive compensation. This first example features Topaz paint at the front, gradually fading to Windsor Blue at the rear. Where they meet in the middle, the angle of the fade has been lined up with the shape of the rear haunch, and the front and rear wheels have been painted to match the end of the car they're on to maximize the effect. Graded Color Effect Inside, Too The color-splitting theme continues inside with Topaz leather on the front seats, steering wheel, instrument panel, and center console, and a darker Beluga hide in the rear of the cabin. Dragonfly is used as an accent color for the piping and stitching on the seats and doors, while Satin Beluga painted veneers have been applied to the center console, parts of the dashboard, and the treadplates. Bentley's trick Rotating Display has been specified on this commission, along with Naim for Bentley audio and Dark Chrome interior accents. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The Ombre finish is now available to order in three color combinations, but it has not revealed what those options are. Presumably, we'll see the alternatives as customers order them. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
The Independent
11 hours ago
- The Independent
Government widens discount scheme to encourage people to switch to electric cars
The government has expanded its electric car grant scheme, making 22 vehicles eligible for a discount. The grant offers up to a 1,500 reduction on eligible models, including new additions from Volkswagen, Peugeot, and Cupra. This expansion is part of a 650 million government investment aimed at encouraging a shift from petrol and diesel cars to reduce carbon emissions. Recent data shows a significant increase in electric car registrations, with 120,000 zero-emission vehicles registered between January and March this year, a 43 per cent rise from the previous year. While the government also invests in charging infrastructure, the initiative faces criticism regarding the environmental impact of precious metals mined for electric car batteries.
